Using those averages as expectations for the 2008 season, Rivera will be paid:

$233,281 for every game he appears in.

$212,164 for every inning he pitches.

$70,721 for every out that is recorded when he is in a game.

(Thanks to FOXSPORTS.com)

I think Rivera still has one, maybe two good years left in him, but to pay him that much for three years will only hurt them. They have solid young relievers who could take the closer spot next year. What the Yankees should do is hold strong on their offer, maybe offer a mutual option, and see what he does. It would not surprise me if ends up taking the three year offer when he sees that no team is interested in giving him a four year deal.

3
comments:

I write on the Rivera/Posada article that Rivera will get a fourth year offer from someone, much like Pedro's 4th year offer from the Mets. The rumored salary in that article was 3 for 39, and I mentioned that someone would offer him a 4th year in order to sway him from pinstripes. But the Yanks did offer 3 for 45, which is in between the original figure at 3 and 4 years. I'm less certain that another team would pay Rivera a fourth year at 15 mill a year. On the other hand, what will the Yanks do without Rivera? Put Chamberlain in the closer role? (It sounds like they are very much against this move).

I also do not think that Rivera is washed up by any means. He is not Rivera 1998, but he is still among the top 2 or 3 closers in baseball. Last year's numbers were below average, but in late-May, people were saying that Rivera was finished. His ERA was over 6 and the word in NY was that the failed contract negotiation was messing up his pitching. Do the math: Rivera recovered in a big way in the last 2/3rds of the season.